Draw for Ontario's pot licence lottery expected Friday

Pot shop retail hopefuls are putting in their bid for lottery to get one of 25 licences being handed out by the Ontario government. Erica Vella looks at the how the process to enter the lottery and dives into those businesses operating outside of the law

TORONTO – Ontario could announce the results of a lottery to apply for the first 25 retail cannabis licences as early as today.

Those seeking to open a pot shop in the province had from Monday to early afternoon Wednesday to submit an expression of interest.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which will regulate the province’s retail cannabis outlets, has said it will pick the winners randomly today, with the results expected to be announced within 24 hours.

Recreational cannabis can currently only be purchased legally in Ontario through a government-run website, with the first private stores set to open April 1.

The Progressive Conservative government had initially said it would not put a cap on the number of outlets, but later said it would begin with only 25 licences due to what it called serious cannabis supply issues that had to be addressed by the federal government.

VIDEO: Ontario government releases the rules surrounding the cannabis retail lottery system